I'll Try To Keep It Brief

I Used To Not Do That

I’ve been retired since 2019. I used the time to reflect, and more. I once spoke on the radio for three hours a day. Now, I’ll write brief thoughts, as a hobby, in retirement. Don’t want your money; I just hope to give you food for thought. If you don’t like what I write, it won’t hurt my feelings to ignore me. If you want to argue, that’s fine, too - I’ve done plenty of that! But, please defend your ideas, personal attacks are very easy. Benedict Donald, anyone?

If you read these occasional notes, you’ll find themes and slogans. “Does the future have to be like the past?” “Work with the facts and live with the truth.” “It’s the economy, stupid.” Alright, that last one wasn’t mine, but you get the idea. Communicate a clear message, in simple, fast terms.

In 2004, I asked the late Bill Richardson (former Governor of New Mexico, former Congressman, former Ambassador) what the Democratic Party stood for. He stared at me blankly for a few seconds, mumbled “women, unions….” and then turned his back and walked away. I told this story repeatedly on the radio, when the man was alive, and he never disputed it, or responded further. That was twenty-one years ago. Do the Democrats have a message? Can you tell me what it is? How are they selling it?

Democrats are the party of government. Government is good and needed. To help the poor. Redress societal ills. Build public goods and fulfill public needs. Republicans brand Democrats as the party of big, stodgy, expensive, hassle-the-public government. The status quo, paperwork and bureaucracy. Republicans brand the Democrats and the Democratic Party wears that brand. Do the Democrats do anything to change their image? Control their image? Brand the Republicans as something loathsome? Like “traitor?”

“Tax and spend liberals.” “Radical leftist Marxist communists.” “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Give the Republicans credit, they can communicate. They have slogans and themes that land viscerally and they relentlessly hammer those messages and themes home. Remember the Willie Horton ads in 1988? Please know what that means. Just in the last election, the Republican ad of Kamala Harris promising free gender transition surgery to all federal inmates and immigration detainees, shows Republicans know how to message.

Democrats, so far as I can tell, need a message, a statement of principles, clear and simple. Have you read the 2024 Democratic Party Platform? Me neither.

Here’s food for thought.

1 - One set of rules for all;

2 - No corruption;

3- Tax fairness;

4 - Social moderation;

5 - Financial responsibility;

6 - Don't hurt the poor;

7 - Balance the budget, and;

8 - Pay down the debt.

The Democrats today appear weak, leaderless, messageless and incessantly squabbling. While it’s quintessentially American to endlessly squabble, at some point we have to come together and make a decision. With a few exceptions, Republicans have done that my whole life. Squabble, then cave to their Boss. Whoever their Boss happens to be at the moment. That trait has become much worse in recent times.

See you next time.

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